4 Gay Activists Detained at Rally

Reuters

Jun. 29 2010 00:00

APA police officer detaining gay rights activist Maria Yefremenkova in front of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg on Saturday. During the protest roughly two dozen activists unfurled banners and chanted slogans before police moved in.

St. Petersburg police detained at least four gay activists on Saturday during a rally at the Hermitage Museum, a police spokesman said.

About two dozen gay and lesbian activists gathered in the tourist-packed courtyard of one of the world's most famous museums carrying banners and chanting "Homophobia is the country's shame."

Although the rally was not publicly announced, a small group of ultraright activists came to the square attempting to attack the protesters, local media reported, adding that four or five of them were detained.

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